Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-05-14

In later years, Wnlle on voyage
to the Mediterranean, curious Incl
dent happened at Constantinople.
While the ship was delayed in the
harbor, he spent some days at a hotel
in the city with Captain Samuels,
above noticed. In passing to and
from their ships, they took street
on which was a palace of one of the
pashas. The dead walls of the palace,
some twenty feet high, allowed them
to see only the windows in the third
story. AS they passed under the
walls one afternoon, one of those
windows was suddenly flung open,
when a most beautiful lady unveiled
came in full view. A small package
was flung over the wall, and the
window suddenly closed.
The captains were electrified as by
II vision from the skies. The sudden
apparition, the rare beauty of the OBJ
| ject disclosed at the window, the bill
let, and the sudden disappearance,
all served to arrest their attention
and impress the imagination. What
could it mean? In exposing her I'M
yelled features, they knew she had
violated a known edict whose penal
ty was death. The package which
had been picked up by the Swedish
captain would explain all. 1t con-
tanned a brief note, written in fair
English, which read as follows:
81 know you are Christians, and
will save me from this life of degre-
datiOn. Entombed in this harem,
from which there is no other way of
escape, | appeal to you in mercy to
save me. God, | know, will open
your hearts, give wisdom and guide
you tomorrow night to silken
thread thrown from this window,
near where you found my note. To
the thread attach your answer. Death
awaits discovery"
The note was read to Captain Sam
uels, and the question of an attempt
at rescue discussed. The danger was
very great. There were nine chances
out Of ten of exposure, which would
be death. How could she be taken
down from the window? How ven
ture through the streets? How pass
the guarded gates? But peril usually
brings inspiration and courage. The
Swedish captain was full of the sub
ject, had conceived romantic attach
ment for the fair lady-a flame which
had not been kindled in his soul since
the disappearance of the cOnsul's
daughter-and had determined to at.
tempt the rescue. The whole day
was spent in devising plan. The
Swede was ready for anything, but
the cooler head Of Captain Samuels
detected difficulties in nearly every
scheme proposed. AT length they
hit upon one the captain though
, would answer.
, Accordingly, alright they attached
6 to the silken thread the following
f message:-
son the fifth night counting from
tomorrow, we will rescue you by {
! rope ladder. At one o'clock we viii
attach strong line to the end of you
cord. Pull this until the ladde
reaches you. The line will be suffi
GENTLY strong to bear your weight
Place the line over a hook, or post
but do not make it fast. The lin
q will be withdrawn after your descent
o so that no one will discover the man
ner of your escape. Ifyou can devils
!, any other means, or have any sugges
tons to make, you can communicat
! as before we will pass nightly unit
we have some token from you. On
. Of us will ascend to assist yourdescen
E if you desire. May God, to whom
y you have prayed, nerve you for tn
= task ~
q On the next night they found tn
!, following note attached to the silke
= thread
a 81 will provide the ladder, whic
o you will pull towards you by the core
- | have trusted eunuch, who will as
sist me, as his life belongs to me
o. Think well Of the danger. / have n
o right to place you in jeopardy, |
Il ease of discovery, a rope ladder upO
r. you would prove your guilt; 20
would be seized and disposed of, II
J., one knowing how save the head
9 man. Your crime and mine al
20 punishable by death. My life
r. nothing, but you have loved ones ;
70 home. Should you change yol
W minds on the night appointed, &c
. have mercy on me! I should ut